Oceanic Diet and Distribution of Haplotypes for the Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas, in the Central North Pacific

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the central North Pacific exhibit distinct oceanic diets and genetic distributions, revealing two morphotypes corresponding to central and eastern Pacific populations. Analysis of gastrointestinal contents from 10 pelagic turtles showed a carnivorous diet dominated by zooplankton, crustaceans, and mollusks, with frequent ingestion of anthropogenic debris (70% frequency). Genetic studies confirmed Hawaiian origin for the central Pacific morphotype and Revillagigedo nesting ties for one eastern Pacific turtle, while others shared common Mexican haplotypes. Turtles north of Hawai'i belonged to the central Pacific group, whereas those south were eastern Pacific morphotypes, suggesting delayed recruitment or movement between neritic and open ocean habitats.

Parker, D. M., Dutton, P. H., & Balazs, G. H. (2011). Oceanic Diet and Distribution of Haplotypes for the Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas, in the Central North Pacific. Pacific Science, 65(4), 419–431. https://doi.org/10.2984/65.4.419